Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and mechanical ventilation can lead to right ventricular dysfunction and ultimately right ventricular failure by increasing pulmonary vascular resistances and pressure load. This can be prevented by modifying ventilator settings, using vasopressors or inotropes or even by prone positionning.But to do so, right ventricular dysfonction has to be detected. Echocardiography has emerged as a first line tool to diagnose right heart failure. Recently, strain analysis showed promising results to detect early right ventricle abnormalities in other settings such as pulmonary hypertension or scleroderma. We therefore decided to determine whether 2D strain could help detect early right ventricular dysfunction in ARDS.

We will assess whether 2D strain can detect a right ventricular dysfunction as compared to standard echocardiographic parameters

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Mean right ventricle strain under ventilated patients [ Time Frame: at inclusion ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

We measure right ventricle strain (RV strain) in patients under mechanical ventilation for a non-respiratory cause. This allows us to determine the mean value of RV strain under ventilation when there is no respiratory failure.

Reproducibility between transthoracic and transesophageal strain measures [ Time Frame: Time of mechanical ventilation ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

In ARDS patients, we record a transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. We compare RV strain values obtained from transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.

These assays are made based on the hypothesis they could help discriminate between patients who will develop a right ventricular dysfunction from those who will not. A blood sample is withdrawn at the same time as echocardiography only in the ARDS group.

Biospecimen Retention: Samples Without DNA

Plasmatic levels of NT proBNP and pre pro endothelin are monitored in ARDS group to determine whether these biomarkers can help detect right ventricular dysfunction.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01757522